A funerall sermon, both godlye, learned and comfortable, preached at S. Maries in Cambridge, Anno 1551. at the buriall of the reuerend doctor, and faithfull pastor of the Churche of Christe, Martin Bucer. By Matthew Parker Doctor in Diuinitie, and since, Archbishoppe of Canterburye

THE cause of this our present assembly ( brethren in the Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christ most dearely beloued ) is alredye vnto you so wel knowne , that I shall not neede therevpon to vse many wordes : but on the other side , the speciall points hereby offered to our considerations , and againe , the iust cause that wee ( euen we Cambridge-men ) haue to weepe and waile , I feare that a greate sorce , throughe want of skill , feele not , and many moe , ( blindely ledd with a certayne peeuish rancour and festured malice ) throughly consider not .

To mourne and weepe for the death of a good and godly man , so far foorth as concerneth him , we are flatly forbidden both by reason and also by nature : I meane , that reason which is right , and that nature which is sinceare , not corrupted . Yea , it is directly against the rules both of Charity and Faith . For , if Heathen Philosophers , ( not knowing god aright , & void of that hope which wee dayly haue before our eyes , and whiche , so manye of vs as liue in Christ , doe earnestly thirst after , and dayly long for ) deemed by reason , that death was not to be bewailed : and if they could agree among themselues in opinion , that nature might lawfully call for , & redemaund that , whereof she had graunted to vs , the vse , but for a while : what an absurd thing were it , if wee in this so great light of the Gospell , beeing so vndoubtedly perswaded of such sure and manifest promises of most blessed state after this life by the benefite of our Redeemer , should not aswell as they , thinke it to stand with reason and equitie ? Yea , worthilye were wee to be reprooued , if we should but onely match them , and not rather far surmount them in this point , and by faith vnderstand how that we are so far from hauing any cause of sorrowing , that we rather ought more then can be vttered , to reioyce for them , and to congratulate cheir felicitie , whereunto we hope also to come our selues , and for the same ought dayly to pray .

Now , Lone enuieth not . I pray you , what Ioue , or what charity is this , to enuie our friendes blessed hap , & to be sory for their felicitie and welfare ? To be agreeued & to lament for their glorious exchaunge is as though we repined , that after many dangerous stormes and blustring tempests in the Sea of this world , they be at length gotten to a quiet harborough and safely ariued at the hauen of rest : or that after a sharpe conflict & long continued warre , they bee nowe at length safely returned home , with victory ouer their enemies .

What loue can this be , to bee sorye that our friend hauing beene long pyned with grieuous & languishing diseases to haue now recouered his former health ? or to fret and greeue to heare that hee whom we say we loue , is enlarged and deliuered out of most loathsome prison , where he had long lyne in hunger and cold , fettered and chayned ? Is there any man , that can with anye colour of reason say , that he loueth his friend , being heire to some great lands , if he mourne and be sory that the tyme now approcheth , wherin his friend shal possesse and receaue some huge summe of money and sewe out his liuerey for the peaceable enioying of his great reuenewes and enheritance ? It is ( I say ) against godly loue and against sinceare affection , to bewaile our friends , when they leaue the miseries of this wretched lyfe , and goe to possesse a place of rest and blisse , that shall continue for euer .

Moreouer , it agreeth not with the rules of faith , for a christian man to bewayle the dead . For , who can deny that to be against faith , which is flatly forbidden by the scriptures ? And how can that be sayed to agree with the rule of fayth , whiche the scriptures most euidentlye prooue to be done by those that haue no hope ? There is such an indeuisible agreement betweene Faythe and Hope , Faith and hope inseparable companions . that the one is neuer seuered from the other , but wheresoeuer the one is , the other is also , and where the one lacketh , that other wanteth likwise . Sorow ye not ( saith the blessed apostle Paule ) ouer them that are a sleepe , 1. Thes. 4. 13. as others do which haue no hope . &c. Yea such kind of sorrow is most plainly by the scriptures forbidden . Eccle. 22. 11. Make small weeping for the dead ( sayth the wise-man ) for he is at rest . If a man do but lightly & superficially consider the words of this scripture , & do not diligently search the bottome & ground of the true meaning & sence thereof , he may ( perhaps ) thinke that it is thereby permitted yea & after a sort commaunded & enioyned to a man to mourne and bewaile the dead , so that he do it moderatly

But it shall plainely appeare to bee otherwise , if a man will diligently consider the cause whiche the Wise-man there alledgeth , namelye , because hee is at rest . In whiche wordes , he layeth downe before our eyes , the verie cause , for the which we should rather reioyce and be glad . And therfore in this worde ( a little ) hee hath consyderation vnto oure weakenesse and infirmytie , in respecte whereof hee yealdeth somewhat vnto our frayltie , and tollerateth some small sorrowe and little mournynge : howebeit , if the wise-man had any hopefully to perswade & effectuallye to obtaine that which he was the willinger of , no doubt , hee woulde rather haue counsailed and aduised vs , vtterly to put away and entirely to laye aside all sorrow .

Which thing we ought ( doubtlesse ) to doe , if wee coulde in all our actions haue that regard & alwayes keepe that euen hand , which we should doe if our nature were not so weake and naught : or if the world were not pestered with enuious spighters and quarellours , wranglers in euery corner , that will not sticke to call vs stonyharted creatures , & such as haue no sparke of humaine nature in vs , if they see that wee make no lamentation for the death of our friends . Construing the matter many tymes to the worst , and sinesterlye thereby gathering , that we doe rather reioice in respect of some worldly gaine or commoditie thereby growing to vs . Wheras we by the rule of faith onely , and in respect of that euerlasting blessednesse which our friends haue attained , doe shew our selues therein constantly stayed in conscience for the departure of our brethren , and altogether renouncing such womannish wayling , and childish infirmitie .

And true it is , that Ieremie , ( being a witnesse in this case of far more credite and authoritie , ) alloweth nothing at all to this our fraile infirmitie , but in most plaine words flatly and in a generalitye forbiddeth all weeping and mourning for the dead . Ier. 22. 10. Weepe not ( saith he ) for the dead , and be not mooued for them . For , he had a greater consideration of the blessed lyfe whereinto they were entered : and he wisely weighed that the sooner , they finisht the course & end the race of this life , the sooner they come to enioy their desyred rest & blisfull state : and therefore he woulde not at anye hande nozzle and feede a man in folly , by allowing or yelding any thing to him in this so vaine frailty . This did he see in the spirite : and the very same is lykewise by the same spirite reuealed vnto Iohn , with commandement also vnto him , to write it for an euerlasting memory , as a voice not vttered by the world or in the world , after the measure of our humaine frailty and weakenesse , but as a sentence descended from heauen , deliuering a iust consideration of the state & condition of those that bee hence departed : which voyce did plainly deliuer these words : Reue. 14. 13. Blessed are the dead , which dye in the Lord . May this worde ( Blessed ) being pronounced by the mouth of God himselfe , be thought to be miserable , mournefull or lamentable ? Neyther doth the Spirite deliuer & vtter these words absolutely without any other addition , but withal he alleadgeth the cause : For they henceforth ( saith the Spirite , ) rest from their labours : & moreouer , Their workes follow them .

Let vs now therfore ponder and consider : diligently the words of the Wyse man , whereof mention was made a litle afore , viz. Because he is at rest . Also of an other wise man : Wised. 3. 2. The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God , and they are in peace . Furthermore let vs herevnto adde the words of the Apostle S. Paule : ● Thes. 4. 14. If we beleue that Iesus is dead & is rysen againe ; euen so them which sleepe in Iesus , wil God bring with him . Let vs consider what these wordes doe signifie & meane , Blessed are they that dye in the Lord , &c. And we shall easily perceiue in what sense we ought to take this ( Little ) which the wise man vseth : yea we shal quickly see , what he would rather haue aduised & vttered , if he had not otherwise regarded & respected our weaknes . Therefore I saye , when wee haue respect & consideration of the party that is dead and departed , it is both vnseemely & wicked to vse any howling or blubbering for him , vnlesse we desire to be accounted creatures endued rather with beastly nature then furnished with the vse of reason : to be deemed Heathen people rather then true Christians : enuious caitiues then wel meaning friends : void of hope & faith , not vnderstanding our happy estate , & persons doubtful & vncertain of their saluation , rather then constant beleeuers vndoubtedly embracing & crediting the infallible worde of God , therby as by a rule directing all & euery our actions , thoughts & affections , & valiantly subduing and entirely triumphing ouer our imbecillity & weaknes .

But howsoeuer some texts of scripture seeme to confirm this opinion , & to proue & allow some small mourning , & again , some vtterly & altogither forbid weping and lamenting , as we haue afore declared : So in an other sence wee are not onely allowed to mourne , but also are admonished and directly commaunded so to do . My sonne , powre foorth teares ouer the dead , Eccle. 38. 16. and begin to mourne as if thou hadst suffered greate harme thy selfe . Heere , the same wise man that a little aforesaid , Make small weeping for the deade , seemeth in this place to enioyne vs to weepe , not a little , nor for a while : but to continue lamentations , and to powre foorth teares for a long season . God forbid that we should think so holy a man , ( inuested with the tytle of a wiseman ) should in one & the selfe-same booke disagree with himselfe in opinions and sentences , ( albeit they be set downe in seuerall Chapters ) and to enioyne and commaund things contrary and repugnant one to an other . We must therefore assay and tyre , whether we can find out his very meaning .

But if he himselfe doe expound and interpret his owne words , we may then boldly and safely without danger sticke to his iudgement . In this verye sentence , where he thus writeth . Make small weeping for the dead , for hee is at rest , Eccle. 22. 11. he also saith , Weepe for the dead , for he hath lost the light . To make him therefore to agree with himselfe , this must needes bee his meaning : that , as in respect of the party deceased , it is not lawfull to weepe and lament , for that , he enioyeth blisse , and is at rest : so , on the other side , namely in respecte of our selues , that are berest the company , sight and comfort of his vertuous maners , godly life and excellent learning , we haue most iust and vrgent cause not onely to lament & bee sorie , but euen for a long space to continue the same our griefe and moane , as hauing receiued some great losse & hinderance vnrecouerable . And the brighter & clearer that the light was , when it gaue shine , and the neeedefuller & expedienter that the same was for our behoofe and benefite , so much the more cause and matter is there ministred to our lamentation and mourning , by the wofuller consideration of the losse receaued .

Such a kind of light is there nowe quenched in this famous and reuerend Doctor , renowmed aswell for his exquisite knowledge and learning , as also for his right christian maners and vertuouse life : all whiche appeared in him moste excellentlye , euen at the time of his death and departure . What a burning and shining lampe shewed he himselfe in the Church of Christ , the space of many yeares ? And although Enuie do leare and prie askewe and can not wel abide the sight of the sunne : yet cannot his verie enemies withoute greate shame and infamie reproch him , or iustlye open their mouthes againste him , when as they shall see suche persons to giue testimonye to his vertues , whiche haue bene daylye conuersant with him , and haue diligently obserued and marked the continuall care and vehemente studie , which he toke to further and aduaunce such causes , as his trade of life and function required .

What maner of salt he shewed himselfe in the mild deliuerie of his sounde doctrine , vttered aswell by liuely voice , as also otherwise testified and recorded by his moste learned workes , & printed bookes : againe , what exquisi● learning and ( as I may say , almost singuler ) harborowghed in his breast , howe pithie & sententious howe deepe & waightie his arguments were , wherewithall he notablie seasoned religion , and the same , ( being in these later ages of the worlde pitifully many wayes mangled and dismembred ) reuiued and resorted to her right auncienty & former strength and authoritie : although herein spightfull malice and cankered enuie will not lose her olde wount , The nature & propertie of Enuy , towards worthy and excellent men . but still shewe her selfe in her colours , what disposition she euer carieth toward all such as in any singuler gift excel others , yet shal our posterity in time to come know and find , how iuste cause there is why they shoulde esteeme Enuie , as Enuie : and highlye regard learning and vertue accordinge to their due worthynes and dignitie .

But before I enter into the examination , Vertuous lyfe and singuler learning in B●cer . and discourse of these two rare and singuler vertues in him , wherwith god had wonderfullye beautified & enriched him , & made him admirable , & reuerend in the worlde , I would especially wishe vs Vniuersity-men , for whose comfort & consolation , Almighty God in his great mercye and gracious fauour towardes this Vniuersity , ( being greately decayed and almost vtterlye fallen downe to the grounde , ) ordeyned this worthy instrument in his Church , tosoiourne and dwell now in the ripenesse both of his lyfe and doctrine heere among vs ) with a great deale the more care , & circumspect diligence to consider the fearefull iudgments of almighty god , who in this purpose of his deuine wil , hath translated & so soone taken him away from vs .

Wherby it is most certaine that we haue iust cause to bewaile his death , & heauily to take his departure from vs : howebeit not for his sake , but for our owne : & greatly to feare & dread the further wrath & punishment of god his heauy displeasure : a taste wherof we heere now feele , in that he hath quenched this so notable & necessarye a light among vs . The stroke & feeling wherof ought effectually to driue vs to an humble & open confession of our wicked & detestable life , & prostratly with an earnest repentance to craue pardon of the same at his mercifull hands : beseeching him to forgiue vs our grieuous offences , & to haue compassion on vs . Otherwise , it is to be feared , least some worse thing wil ensue & follow afterward , God forbid , that we which heere professe the true & sinceare word of God , should be so blockish so dull & sencelesse , that we shoulde not ( euen heerein ) perceaue the greeuous displeasure of God , enkindled & conceaued against vs : or that we should so pitifully be ouer seene in our own cases , or so far to be our own foes & backfriends , that these things should not any whit at all mooue vs .

Then , might that iustly be obiected & layd to our charge , which the prophet Ieremy twitted the men of his time withall , for their malicious & manifest contempt of God , & the careles regard that they made of his scourges and punishments : Ierem. 5. 3. Lorde , thou hast stroken them , but they haue not sorrowed : thou hast consumed them , but they haue refused to receiue correction : they haue made their faces harder then a stone , and have refused to retourne .

Should not we blush and be ashamed after so many admonitions , to be like vnto those stifnecked Iewes , and rebellious persons , which saide vnto the Prophets of God , Esai . 30. ●● prophecie not and to the seers , see not , neither speak vnto vs right thinges : but speake flattering things vnto vs : prophecie errours . Departe out of the way : goe aside out of the path : cause the holy one of Israell to cease from vs . And if our peeuish wilfulnes , impudencie and hardnes doe thus continue with increase among vs , are we not worthye to heare this dreadful & heauie sentence pronounced against vs . Matt. 23. 38. Behold your habitation shal be lefte vnto you desolate : Behold the daies shall come vpon thee , that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee , Luc. ●9 . 43. and compasse thee rounde , & keepe thee in on euery side , & shal make thee euen with the ground , and thy children which are in thee : & they shall not leaue in thee a stone vpon a stone , because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation . God be mercifull vnto vs , and blesse vs , Psal. 67. 1. and shewe vs the lighte of his countinance , & be merciful vnto vs . &c.

The verye consideration of this one kinde of God his punishment and correction , to witte , the takinge awaye by deathe , of those excellente members of the Churche , on whome dependeth the singuler benifite of the flocke , and comfortable staye of the people , affordeth & ministreth vnto vs ( as by the scriptures wee maye plainelye perceiue ) manifest arguments & profitable lessons to draw vs , in this euidence token of Gods displeasure , to lament our sinnes , and to amend our wicked liues . It is ynoughe ( I say ) to moue vs to loke better to our selues , to feare afterclaps , and to be inwardly most hartely sorie for our churlish behauiour & extreeme ingratitude toward so gracious a God .

One example fitlie seruinge to this purpose , I will offer here vnto your considerations . Call to your remembrance that rebellious , obstinate , murmuring , mutinous & stifenecked people of Israell , ouer whom god set that excellent man Moses , to be their Captaine & Gouernour . And that I may omit & not speak of the huge heape of their manifolde leawdnes & wicked disobediences : to omitte also the sundry punishments wherwith God many times afflicted them : to omit , how & how often their leader and Gouernor Moses was prest & ready by prayer & intercession to reconcile God vnto them & to turne away his plagues from them : for whose sake & at whose suite their misdeedes were often forgiuen , & their offences pardoned : how worthy a Gouernor he was , how notabe a stay , and what a shining light he shewed himselfe vnto them , the whole course of his dealinges , the whole race of his lyfe , and the whole manner of his proceedings , during the time of his rule & gouernment doth sufficiently declare . And yet against him being so worthy & so noble a Prince , & appointed of god to them for their great comfort , and singuler commodity , did Corah , Dathan and Abiram maliciously conspire , Num. 16. 3. and him rebelliouslye despise , shaking of the yoke of obedience , and moste vnnaturallye forsaking him , or rather their owne profites and commodities which by him they bountifully enioyed .

But how seuerelye , how strangely and dreadfullye did the Lorde God reuenge that thir so mutynous reuolt and vndutifull contumacie ? Did not the earth open her mouth , and swallowe them vp , with their tabernacles , and familyes and all them that were with them , soe that they and all that they had , wente downe aliue into the pit with all their traine and goodes . This dreadfull and terrible example notwithstanding , when as yet they seditiously persisted in their treacherous mutinie and peeuishe frowardnesse agaynste the same Moses their Prince and Gouernour , the Lord ( for an euerlasting terror to al murmuring Malcontents , against so worthie a man geuen to them ( if they could haue accordingly so considered it , ) for the inestimable benefit & comfort both of them & their whole companie , ) sent a plague among them , whereof there dyed in one day fourteen thousand & seuen hundred .

God so strongly & terribly reuenged this their sedition & consperacy , chiefly & especially therby to bring them to the acknowledgment of that singuler benefit , which they inioyed by hauing so good and godly a magistrat ouer them as Moses was : meaning by such a kind of punishment to make them more thankfull , and better contented with this benefite . But when almighty God saw that all these punishments would not serue to bring them to amendment , nor to stur them vp to their dutifull thankefullnesse , and obedient behauiour ; after many assaies and waies practised and wrought for their recouery , he was at length driuen in his heauy indignation to betake himselfe to an other course , and to proceede further . And what course was that : Forsooth , for their sins and wickednes , he shortned the life of Moses , and would not , that by him they should be brought into the land of promise . Moses therefore dyed , before they had set one foote therin . But how profitable had it beene for them ; if hee had remained aliue , considering his graue wisedome , and ripe iudgement , wherein by reason of his great practise and long experience hee singularlye excelled ? Howe fitte a man had hee beene , by reason of his Sanctytye and holinesse of lyfe , and of his vertuous dealinges and godlye cogitations to turne awaye the wrath of GOD , iustlye conceiued against them : What an helpe , furtherance , and direction , moreouer mighte hee haue beene to them , after they had beene once entered and come into the Lande , touchinge their Sacrifices , Rytes and Ceremonies , which hee eyther by worde of mouthe , or by traditions written , had lefte amonge them .

How necessarie in all respectes was this reuerend Doctor Martin Bucer , to the Church of Christ , being a man so notablye furnished & so exquisitely enclyned to the aduauncement of the glorye and true religion of God ? And yet notwithstanding , God hath taken him away from amonge vs : the lyght that was in him , hee hath quenched : and would not that we should bee shrowded any longer vnder his winges , or priuiledged vnder his shadowe : reputing vs people most vnworthy , to be so much as the leaste partakers of suche surpassing benefites .

And if ( as it is indeede ) the greater greater the sinne is , the greater punishment is there vnto due , and the sharper smart it deserueth : then shall it bee no hard matter to iudge , among what sort of punishment this is nowe to be reckened , that this time so good a pastor is taken awaye from vs , so brighte a lampe quenched , and such a lighte put oute , as while wee enioyed , wee safely walked thoroughe the daungerous and darke pathes of this life . Lette vs diligently waighe and effectuallye consider these thinges ( dearely beloued ) and beeinge herein in like sort punished by the hand of God , as the Isralites were , lette vs learne to acknoweledge the wrathe of God , and receyue it as an vndoubted signe that hee is angrie and displeased with vs .

We haue heertofore shewed our selues waiward , churlish , and vnthankful by murmuring both againste God , and also againste this man his Seruaunt . Nowe , euen this daye we feele ( as Israell did ) the heauie wrath and reuenging hand of God for the same , and may perceiue how that he euidently punisheth vs therefore . We haue bene heretofore vngratefull , and repyning for the light that wee receyued from this excellent and worthy Doctor : now is it therefore put out and quenched . It is sayde , that hee liued heere amonge thankelesse , crabbed , and frowarde sinners : nowe therefore is he taken awaye from them . As for him-selfe hee liude still : but soe , that hee liueth in ioye and blisse with God , and is hence dispatched and freed from the toylesome greiues , and wretched troubles of this life , & from those paynefull labours which hee heere willinglye suffered and patyentelye endured for oure beehoofe and benefytte , but nowe is he at rest with GOD , to his owne beehoofe , comforte and commodytye . GOD looueth him in that hee hasted soe soone to call hym awaye oute of the companye of wicked Sinners . But hee is angrye with vs , in that he thinketh vs inworthye any longer to enioye such a precious piller .

If these thinges being thus duely & diligently considered can nothing at all moue vs ( wherwith ( notwithstanding ) I knowe , that euery godly person is & will be not a little touched ) yet is there greater cause to drawe vs , heauilie and sorowfully to take this misfortune : not in suche sorte lamenting and sorowing , for him that is deade ( as hath bene said before ) as though death had done to him any harme , but in applying and translating the whole cause of our sorowe and greife vnto our owne selues , according to that saying of our Lord & Sauioure Christ , who would not haue the Hierosolimitanes to mourne for him , but for themselues and their children . Luc. 23. 28. Daughters of Hierusalem ( sayth he ) weepe not for me , but weepe for your selues and for youre children . And hee there yeldeth a reason why they should weepe for them selues & their children . For ( sayth he ) if they doe this to the greene tree , what shal be done to the drie ? Ver. 31.

Let euery one of vs now here present note well this sentence , and loke wel to himselfe : let euerye one of vs ( I saye ) thinke well of this matter , & vpon this occasion heere presently offered by the death and departure of this graue and reuerend Father , let him be mooued to feare . For , if by the secrete and hidden ( but yet iust ) iudgment of almighty god we see and heare suche heauye sentence pronounced against his owne familie & haushold , that he threateneth to abridge their life , and shorten their dayes , howe neere at hand is the end of them which beleeue not the Gospel ? If his life were shortened , whom while hee heere liued , the Lorde so entirelye loued , beeing the beautie of his house , & in the building , repayring and euery way garnishinge whereof , he shewed himselfe a most dyligent and paynefull builder , and a most wise and cunning maister workman : if ( I say ) his daies were cut shorte , to the end he mighte rest from his vehemente toyle and zealous studie , which hee had toward the promoting and aduauncing the lordes building : how commeth it to passe , that we , ( we I say ) ūnful caitiues do promise to oure selues longe life , and thinke here to liue many yeares , spendding and bestowing the same ( as some doe ) in idlenesse , vanitye and loytring : Whereby it must needes come to passe , and necessarily follow , that they cannot be saide to liue ouerwise , then by the spoyles of the goodes and Patrimonye of Christ crucified .

Some there be , that deuise all the waies they can , and seeke all meanes possible , to the vttermost of their ability to deface the beautye & glory of this building , to vndermine the walles and ouerthrow the foundation therof , that all the wilde beastes of the woode , may freely enter , to deuoure ; spoyle , robbe and moste cruellye to make hauocke of all .

If this greene Tree which yelded plentifull store of fruite in due season , and which was planted by the riuers side , and moystened with the liuelye waters of the Fountaine of lyfe , and which brought foorth such continuall , heauenly and durable fruict , to the glory of God , and for our consolation , to be imitated , was ( notwithstanding his flourishing and fruitfull encrease ) plucked vp by the rootes : what shal be the ende of vs , ( thinke wee ) being deade , drye and wythered Figge trees , without eyther blossome or fruite , Matt. 21. 19. vnworthy any longer to occupye the ground , Mar. 11. 13. or to set one foote vppon the earth ? He was ( without doubt ) a most florishinge greene tree , yelding foorth most excellent fruite , and therefore is not vtterly and altogither cutte downe , but onelye transplanted and remooued out of his place , to bee sette in a pleasaunter and wholesommer soyle . But what maye wee iudge of our selues , that bring foorth in our lyfe nothing but brambles and thistles : and yet are continually and dayly moystened and watered with the deawe of the heauenlye grace and word of God : Why should not wee tremble , and with compunction of heart greatly feare , least we be vtterly cut downe with the Axe of Gods iudgement ; Matt. 3. 10. and by diuine sentence throwen into the fire . Luc. 3. 9. Vnderstande yee vnwise among the people : Psal. 94. 8. & be wise at length ye fooles . O consider this , ye that forget God , least he teare you in peeces , and there be none that can deliuer you . Say not within your selues . Psal. 50. 22. We haue Abraham to our Father , Matt. 3. 9. For I saye vnto you , that euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite , is hewne downe & cast into the fire . Feare ye the dreadfull and terrible wordes of the Lorde , who saith , Mat. 21. 43. The kingdome of God shal be taken from you & shal be giuen to a Nation that shal bring forth the fruits therof . Remember thy selfe therfore O Cambridge and looke well aboute thee : consider thine estate , seeing that vnto thee , God hath sent his Prophets , Wisemen & Scribes from the far distant places of the world : Least there come vpon thee all the iust bloud that hath beene shed vppon the earth . Luk. 11. 50. Repent , repent , thou that killest the Prophets , & with slaunderous words stonest them that are sent vnto thee . But marke ye & heare what doth there in that place immediately followe : Behold , your house is left vnto you desolate . Luk. 13. 34. 35. Amende therefore youre waies and your workes : and trust not in lying wordes , Ierem. 7. 3. sayinge , The Temple of the Lord , the Temple of the Lorde , this is the Temple of the Lord . For , behold , the Lord commeth with thousands of his saints , to giue iudgment against all men , and to rebuke all the vngodly among them , Iude. 14. of al their wicked deeds which they haue vngodly committed , and of al their cruell speakings , which wicked sinners haue spoken against him . Luke . 8. 8 He that hath eares to heare , let him heare .

¶ Exhortation to Prayer .

THat therfore the vaile of ignorance may be remooued from our hearts , & the dazeling dimnes of spight & enuy banished from our eyes : that we may deeply weigh & with humble confession of our sins effectually consider this heauy stroke & punishment here offred vnto vs by God vpon this present occasion : that all bitternes of words , al boasting , wrath , cursed speaking railing & backbiting with all malice rancor & hartburning may bee put away from among vs : let vs humbly prostrat our selues before our gracious God & heauenvly father meekly & deuoutly by earnest prayer crauing at his mercifull handes the assistance of his holy spirite , and that he will of his infinite goodnes forgiue vs out sinnes and pardon our offences .

In which prayers I do commend vnto you the state of the Catholike Church being the blessed communion of the sainte of God , the the same may florish & go forward in that knowledge of his diuine will , du●y●ully agnising & confessing his holy name & sincere religion , & thankfully receiuing & embrasing the graces & gifts of Christ , her Spouse & head and that she may persist & continue to the end , in the vndoubted faith of our Lord & Sauiour . Pray ye also for al those , that through error & misbeleefe are found to be out of this church , and for such as through hypocriticall dissimulation ar reck●ned to be of the true church , being ( indeede ) the Synagog of Sathan , that they and we with one minde & consent may willingly heare and ioyfullye embrace the voyce of our high Shepheard Christe , and that we may become one Sheepefold & one flocke , with one mouth and one hart glorifying God the father of our lord Iesus Christ . Pray ye also particularly for this church of England & Ireland , and for the supreme head of both the same , next & immediately vnder Christ , our most excellent and gratious Soueraigne , King Edward the sixt , &c. Finally let vs giue humble thankes vnto almightye God , for our brethren and sisters , which are departed out of this vale of misery , marked with the Seale of Faith . And last of all , let vs pray for our selues , that euen as the Fathers of the olde Testament earnestly desired and zealously continued still looking & expecting for the first comming of our Sauiour Christ in the flesh , that they might be ●artakers of that abundant blessing , which ●●ey assuredly & vndoubtedly knew that he ●ould bring with him : & after he was exhibited to the world , had a longing desire to be hold him with their bodily eyes : So likewise that we now vnder the new Testament may liue soberly , godly and honestly in this world , earnestly waiting for his second comming : & that we greedily thirsting ( with our brethren alreadye deceassed ) for the full redemption of our bodies , to bee vnited to his glorious bodie , may be ioyned in fellowship with Abraham , Isaac , Iacob , &c. Among whom I doe recken & pronounce this excellent and reuerend Doctor Martin Bucer to bee : for whom let vs hartily and in full assurance thereof , thanke almighty God , for so guiding him with his heauenly spirite , that in holinesse and sanctity he hath thus begun his rest : that he remained & continued constant & vnmoueable to the last gaspe , in pure & incorrupt doctrine grounded vpon the infallible word of God and founded vppon the faith of the Apostles & the Catholike church of Christ ; constantly confirming his profession , both in life and maners agreeable to the same . For , by warrant of the mercies and promise of almighty God , I doe boldly pronounce that he is now in Abrahams bosome , & enioyeth most happie blisse , rest & felicitie , with al the holy company of the elect children of God . And thus for him & in his name do I affirme : I know that he shall rise againe at the resurrection in the last day with a moste assured and certaine knowledge , such ( I say ) as commeth of faith : I know , that forsomuch as our Sauiour Christ saieth of himselfe , that he is the resurrection & the life : & that , whosoeuer beleeueth in him , although hee were dead , yet liueth : and againe , that euerye one which liueth and beleeueth in him , shall not die for euer : I know , ( I say ) and by that vndoubted trust & warrant which I haue in the word of God , and by that testimonie whiche he constantly made of his faith , life , conuersation , & constant confession of Christs name , euen till the verie last pointe of his life , that although he be dissolued for a time , in respect of his body , yet in spirite he liueth with god , & at the last day in the ioyful resurrection of the iust shall againe be conioyned , & shall enioy the presence of God , & raigne with him both in body and soule for euermore .

FINIS .